Disaster task team set up for Mkhondo Municipality
02 July 2009
The Gert Sibande District Executive Mayor Andries Gamede is paying a special visit to the families of the victims of the past week violence in the area of the Thandukukhanya township in Piet Retief, Mkhondo Municipality. Gamede is being accompanied by representatives of the local municipality and community leaders. Two People were killed during the protest march of the community which had turned violent. Four houses including the Mkhondo Executive Mayor’s house were torched during the unfortunate turn of event. Also burnt were a local Thandukukhanya Clinic, Community Hall and vehicles belonging to the local Municipality. Individual vehicles were also damaged when the street going to the township were blocked. The small businesses operating in the township were all looted during the protest march.
The Gert Sibande District Municipality working with the Provincial government and the local municipality has established a disaster task team to assess damages in the township of eThandukukhanya. The team is expected to evaluate the extent of the damage caused and implement necessary intervention to assist the affected families and community structures. The district is extending its condolences to the two families that have lost their loved ones.
In a memorandum presented by community to the Mpumalanga Premier and copied to the office of the District Executive Mayor, the community had complained about issues of lack of service delivery, incomplete construction of roads, selling of the RDP houses and nepotism. Following the concerns raised by the public, the Provincial government has appointed the investigator to look into the allegations. It is hoped that within a month a report will be finalized surrounding these allegations.
For more information please contact
Zamagambu Memela
Director Communication
Cell: 082 452 0974
Tel: 017 620 3063
Solly Bila
Communications Officer
Tel: 017 620 3065
Cell: 071 677 4542
This statement was prepared and issued by the Gert Sibande District Municipality Communication Unit.
